Manufacture of buttons



11 1935 a. D. FGFED m AL w m MANUFACTURE OF BUTTONS I Original Filed Dec. 17, 1931 3 SheecS-Sheet l @m i'io 1 1935, L D D ET Zfllfifigg MANUFACTURE OF BUTTONS Original Filed Dec. 17, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 i MA M Mimi I i.

% IIII 02%., 11, 1935, I. D. FORD ET AL MANUFACTURE OF BUTTONS Original Filed Dec. 17, 1 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Oct. 1, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MANUFACTURE OF BUTTONS Application December 17, 1931, Serial No. 581,556 Renewed October 26, 1934 14 Claims.

This invention relates to the manufacture of solid metal buttons, and among other objects aims to provide an efficient machine for rapidly and accurately making such buttons.

The nature of the invention may be readily understood by reference to one illustrative construction embodying the invention and shown in the accompanying drawings.

In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a sectional plan view taken on the plane of Fig. 3 showing the turret or dial and its associated mechanism;

Fig. 2 is a sectional plan view taken on the plane 22 of Fig. 3 showing the supporting structure in the forms of so-called risers, immediately under the turret;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the machine as viewed from the side at the bottom of Fig. 1;

Figs. 4 to 9 are fragmentary vertical sectional views taken respectively on the broken plane 4-4, 5-5. 6-6, 'l-l, 8-8, and 99 of Fig. 1 through the series of dies and forming tools respectively operating against the dies in the successive positions (positions C to H), the successive sections in Figs. 4 to 9 forming substantially a development of the arcuate arrangement of header tools and dies in operative relation therewith, thus permitting greater clarity in illustration;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on the radial plane Ill-l of Fig. 1 showing the arrangement of die and blank in position B and just after the placing of the blank in the die;-

Fig. 11 is a vertical section taken on the radial plane H-ll of Fig. 1 showing the arrangement of die and blank in position C (Fig. 4) as they appear just prior to the descent of the forming tool;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on the radial plane lZ-IZ of Fig. 1 showing the arrangement of blank and die in position D (Fig. just prior to the descent of the forming tool; Fig. 13 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on the radial plane |3-l3 of Fig. 1 showing the arrangement of die and blank in position E (Fig.

6) just prior to the descent of the forming tool;

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on the radial. plane M |4 of Fig. 1 showing the arrangement of die and finished button in position )3 (Fig. 9) just prior to the descent of the tool which causes the ejectment of the button from the die; 7

Fig. 15 is a plan View on a slightly enlarged scale of one form of completed button having an embossed head; and

Fig. 16 is a sectional elevation of the button.

Solid buttons (of which one form is illustrated in Figs. 15 and 16) made by the apparatus and according to the process herein disclosed, are characterized by a solid body lfl in the end of the shank of which is formed a die recess or cup 5 l i which serves to upset or bend the pronged attaching fastener. In the case of attachment by a double pronged fastener the prongs are bent or upset by the curved surface ii of the die cup around a bar or its equivalent extending transversely across the die cup. Single pronged fasteners are upset directly or indirectly by the curved die surface l2 so that the prong cannot be withdrawn through the small opening into the die cup through which the fastener prong enters. In the case of single pronged fasteners it is frequently desirable to place an insert or filler in the die cup so that a fastener prong which passes through a substantial thickness of the cloth and enters the die cup only a short distance will nevergo theless hold the button. The fastener prongs are generally made of steel so as to penetrate without bending, any desired number of thicknesses of hard, close textured cloth, and therefore require an equally hard or harder die surface to upset them. Aside from the advantage of low cost, by making the button from a solid steel blank an adequately hard die surface is provided by the die cup formed in the steel blank itself and without the addition of other elements which would be necessary to assist in upsetting a fastener prong if the button were formed of softer metal. Indeed, in the formation of the die cup the surface of the metal is compacted and made very dense and substantially increased in hardness. On the other hand the formation of buttons from steel presents problems not encountered in the fabrication of buttons from softer and more ductile metal.

In the illustrative method performed by the present apparatus, a rod-like blank l3 of predetermined length is cut from a soft steel rod or wire (e. g. about in diameter and having a carbon content of approximately .05 to .15 of 1%) whose diameter is substantially that intended for the shank Id of the finished button. The length of the blank is appropriate to the desired diameter of the head l5 of the finished button. In other words, the diameter of the button head may be governed largely by the selected initial length of the blank without materially altering the character of the forming operations or of the mechanical devices employed therein.

The forming dies are here shown embodied in a so-called dial or turret machine in which the turret 6 carrying the dies and blanks to be formed is relatively rotated step by step with reference to reciprocating forming tool referred to for convenience as a header, which supply the force or energy for forming the blanks. In this case the turret is horizontally arranged and rotatably supported on a conventional machine base |8 above which rise the guides IQ for the reciprocating cross head to which the header l'l is removably dovetailed (see Fig. 3). In the present case the cross head and header are crank operated and connected to a conventional crank shaft by a connecting rod 2|. The connecting rod, cross head and header are advantageously made quite heavy to improve the operation of the machine; and preferably a heavy flywheel is employed to provide additional energy during the actual operation of the header (see Fig. 3).

The turret is here shown rotatable around a central pivot shaft 22 and is provided with a circular series of recesses or holes 23 for carrying a series of dies 24. The dies are in the present instance vertically movable in the openings in the dial; their range of movement is limited by screw pins 25 (Figs. 1 and 10) which enter the side edge of the dial and project into a recess formed by a flat spot 25 milled on the intermediate portion of one side of the die, thus providing stops 2'! and 28 above and below for limiting the movement of the die. The individual die blocks 24 are in this instance identical and provided with a central bore 29 which in this instance is slightly greater in diameter than the diameter of the blank. For example, the internal diameter at 30 may be .2575 inch to receive a blank of .25" diameter. This relationship of diameters not only makes it possible to position the blank in the die merely by dropping it therein from above but also facilitates certain of the forming operations present- 1y described.

The number of dies in the series in the dial is made large enough to provide a plurality of stations or positions for successive operations upon the blank or formed button. Preferably the number of possible forming or operative positions is in excess of the number presently used in order to provide a surplus in the event it is desired to perform further operations on the blank or formed button -in the same machine. As here shown, nine positions, A to I, are employed and for additional positions are possibly available for other operations. For a number of types of buttons fewer positions than those here shown employed are necessary; and to perform the processes disclosed, for example, in our copending application Ser. 576,104, still fewer positions would be necessary if this type of apparatus were employed to perform those processes. Nevertheless, since all active operations take place simultaneously the number of such operations does not affect the speed or capacity of the machine.

As here shown, the header l1 carries a plurality of separate forming or other tools 3! to 36, inclusive, which register respectively with the dial positions C to H (Fig. 1). The respective tools are preferably removably connected to the header so that they may be easily replaced when worn or damaged or changed for certain different types of buttons. All of the tools 3| to are here shown as operating simultaneously.

The relative movement between turret and header is effected in this case by rotating the turret one step between each operation of the header. Such step by step rotation is here effected by the pawl 31 carried on the reciprocating slide 38 and engaging successive teeth 38' formed on the edge of the dial and bearing a definite relation with the dies in the dial. To prevent possible slight movement of the turret during the operation of the header the turret is locked in operative position by a pin 39 which enters the successive openings or recesses 40 in the turret. This pin serves to center the dies accurately with respect to the various tools 3| to 36 and to prevent any movement of the turret or dies during the actual forming operation.

Each of the dies is provided with a cup forming pin or punch 4| opposed to the header tools (in this case identical for each of the dies) whose upper ends 42 are shaped to form the die cup H in the end of the blank. The punches 4| are here shown slidable in the die in order to be moved relatively thereto (for purposes presently described) as the dies successively proceed from positions A to I. The lower ends of the respective punches 4| which are enlarged to increase strength are bottomed on the subjacent base plate 49 which provides supporting surfaces in the form of removable risers 43 to 48 mounted in the upper face of the base plate. The risers each are provided with a widened groove or track 50 whose depth Varies for the respective locations C to H to change the position of the punches 4| relative to the dies in such respective locations, for purposes present- 1y described.

The blanks |3 are supplied to the successive dies in'position A from a hopper-fed raceway 5| (see Fig. 3) in which the blanks lie end to end. The particular form of raceway or other means for supplying the blanks is unimportant and is therefore only diagrammatically illustrated herein. Individual blanks are passed from the raceway as the respective dies reach the position A by a cam 52 which is carried on the cross head 2!] and actuates the blank passer 53 to pass the lowermost blank from the end of the raceway at point 54 to point 55 which coincides with position A. In this position the blank may drop into the 'die.

When the blank is first placed in the die its relationship is that shown in Fig. 10. To insure a more accurate centering of the blank upon the punch i! at the time of the first operation as well as to prevent any premature lateral expan sion of any portion of the blank, the die 24 is elevated above the turret as it is brought into position C (see Fig. 11) until, in this case, its top is substantially flush with the top of the blank. The die elevating means are here shown in the form of a pair of elevating or riser cams 58 which in this case are depressible until flush with the riser 43, and held in elevated position by springs 57. The upward movement of the cams is limited by shoulder stops 58.

Thus as the blank |3 comes into position C it has the relation to the die shown in-Fig. 11. Being confined against lateral expansion by the die, the energy supplied by the tool 3! on. striking the blank is entirely consumed in forcing the blank over the end 42 of the punch 4! to form the die cup. As the blank and tool 3! descend, the die 24 is depressed by the tool until it assumes the position. shown in Fig. 4 which represents the completion of the first forming operation. It will be noted that the top of the die is maintained throughout this operation substantially flush with the top of he blank, thereby preventing all lateral expansion of the blank (except, of course, the slight amount represented by the difference in diameters between the blank and the bore 30 of the die) and resulting in the concentration of the entire energy of the tool 31 upon the formation of the die cup in the end of the blank The difference between the diameter of the bore of the die and that of the blank not only facilitates insertion of the blank into the die but apparently insures a comencement of the formation of the die cup before the blank is expanded so as to fit tightly in the die and by its friction retard the formation of metal about the end 42 of the die punch. In this case the die punch is provided with a shoulder at 59 which forms the shoulder 60 just inside the rim of the cup upon which a transverse bar or other fastener prong engaging device may be seated.

Because of the surface hardening of the soft steel of the blank during forming operations (particularly those portions engaged by a tool) it is preferable to complete or substantially complete the die cup before any button head forming operations; and by confining the die substantially in the blank during the formation of the cup, little of the upper end of the blank is hardened by the cup forming operation. Thus when head forming operations commence, the metal is substantially as easily formed as originally. Any small hardened area would occur directly in the center of the head which is least disturbed in subsequent forming operations. It is not essential, however that the die cup be completely finished in the earliest steps of the method since the subsequent button head forming operation will assist the blank vertically to conform to the contour of the die punch whose shape is fixed throughout the forming operations.

In position D a small portion of the blank is preferably made to project from the die so as to be subjected to flattening or head forming operation. This is effected in the present in stance by elevating the die punch 4| relative to the die by making the groove 50 shallower in position D. In the present instance the amount of blank exposed is substantially of an inch. That is, the groove 50 is 6 of'an inch shallower in position D than it was in position C. In the present apparatus the depth 6| of the groove in position C is .400 of an inch and the depth 62 in position D is only .300 of an inch. The degree to which the partially formed button head is flattened in this operation is governed, of course, by the volume of the blank subjected to the heading action, and also by the ultimate distance between the acting face of the tool 32 and the upper surface of the die block 24.

Since the blank now tightly fits within the die, the elevation of the punch 4| causes the ele vation of the die itself as it is moved into position D (see Fig. 12). To expose the blank to the head forming operation the heading tool 32 is provided with projections 63 which on descent of the tool force the die down against the top face of its riser 44. In the same operation the tool engages the end of the blank and partly forms or ing operations, that is, the more gradually the button head is formed, the less likelihood there is of splitting of the metal at the edge of the head. It is desirable, therefore, to form the button head by successively or progressively exposing greater increments of metal to the head forming operation. By this expedient the action of the heading tool or tools is much more readily controlled since the short sections of metal exposed to flattening or heading operations themselves create a very substantial resistance to the heading tool. This serves to prevent excessive sudden flattening of the head of the button, particularly in the event the heading tool is adjusted to approach too closely to the top face of the die.

. After the first head forming operation the dial is again rotated to bring the die with its blank into position E. In that position the groove 58 is still shallower (the depth being only .250 of an inch in this case). As in the previous instance, this results in elevating the die block itself (see Fig. 13). On the heading operation the die block is carried down into contact with its riser i5 and the head including the additional projecting increment of blank is further flattened (Fig. 5). The downward movement of the die during the heading operations is insured by the projections 64 on the tool 33.

It should be noted that the projections 63 and 64 on the header tools are substantially spaced from the head of the button so as not to interfere with the free lateral spread of the button head, the diameter of the button head being determined by the volume of metal exposed to the action of the header and by the minimum distance to which the header approaches the die.

Upon the completion of aforesaid operation and the rise of the tools, the turret is again rotated one step to bring the particular blank under consideration into position F. In that position the die punch is still further elevated, the depth of the groove 50 being in this case only .220 of an inch. In this position the heading tool 34 completes the flattening of the head. It is apparent from the foregoing that the diameter of the. button head may be governed largely by the selected initial length of the blank, without materially altering the character of the forming operations or of the mechanical devices employed therein.

The head forming operations produce a close textured hard surface which is smooth and almost polished.

Where, as here, it isclesired to emboss the face of the head with a design or other marking in relief, the under face of the tool is engraved as at B5 in intaglio with the particular design. The lateral flattening of the head apparently facilitates the movement of the metal into the design on the tool since even though the metal be soft steel, the designs or other markings may be formed in very substantial relief (see Fig. 16).

It will be noted that the tool 34 is not provided with any projections to depress the die, which has been elevated upon elevating the die punch in the riser groove. Such projections are not necessary in this position since the movement required is so small. Indeed projections 64 are not essential in the position shown in Fig. 6 since the forces developed by the further flattening of the blank have downward components which would force down the die block, thus progressively exposing the additional increment of the blank to the heading. The projections 64 are provided, however, to facilitate the downward movement of the die as the head is flattened, because it may be done with less energy in this way than where the die is depressed through forces developed by the flattening of the button head.

Where the button is to be covered with a decorative shell or the like, the top face of the head is, of course, left plain and its under face is preferably marginally rabbeted to provide a recess for receiving the crimped margins of the covering shell so they will lie flush with the under face of the shell. For buttons of the larger head diameters it is desirable to provide a slight excess of metal (by using a slightly longer blank) so that the button heads will be made slightly larger than their intended size for trimming in order to secure perfectly round button heads. This is not necessary for the smaller button heads since the heads are remarkably true and free from burrs, fins or sharp edges; moreover, in the free, unrestrained lateral expansion of the head the metal naturally forms with a rounded edge, as disclosed in our co-pending application Ser. 494,160 now Patent No. 1,920,497, issued Aug. 1, 1933, and it is not necessary to f rm a rounded edge by subsequent operations. Where the larger button heads are not covered as here shown, it is desirable to round the edge of the button as at 8% to eliminate any sharp corners which might be produced by trimming. The rounding of the button head may advantageously be performed in the position G by the tool 35 which is centrally recessed at 6'! so as not to damage the embossing. The tool 35 only engages the margin of the button, rounding it and rorming a thin flange called flash which is later trimmed oiT in order to render the button perfectly round. the margin of the head need not be rounded, the sharp edge produced by trimming being advantageous in holding the covering shell against rotation or apparent looseness on the head, the sharp corners serving in the place of teeth to grip the shell.

The formed button is advantageously removed from the die by making the groove 50 in the riser still shallower in position H, its depth being only .045 of an inch in this case (see Fig. 9). As the die moves into position H it is carried above the turret as shown in Fig. 14 and the button is cleared by the tool 35 whose projections 59 engage the die and depress it into contact withits riser 48, leaving the button clear of the die and resting only on the die punch. The further rotation of the turret causes the button to engage a stationary member "Hi skewed relative to the radius and to be cammed thereby to the edge of the turret from which it drops into a receiver.

The risers 43 to 48 are in this case made removable to permit replacement in the event the grooves therein become badly worn and also to permit adjustment to secure the proper elevation of the die punch. Such adjustment is effected either by substitution of a difierent riser or in some cases merely by placing shims of the desired thickness under the riser requiring adjustment. Some adjustment may be desirable when a longer blank is employed (to produce a larger headed button) in order to secure an efficient distribution of the increment of blank exposed to heading between the various heading positions.

The entrance portions ll of each of the riser grooves is advantageously inclined so that it will either be flush with or below the terminal portions 12 of the groove of the preceding riser, thus eliminating any possibility of projections which might catch the lower edge of the die punches as In buttons covered by a shell they travel in the grooves. Only the portion of the riser groove midway between its ends (which register with the operative positions of the dies) need be fiat or level to provide a square base for the die punch to withstand the impact of the header. Grooves l3 and i4 register with the terminal and initial riser respectively to guide the die punch with its upper end substantially below the top of the die during the idle positions of the respective die punches.

It will be understood that the forming operations above described for a single blank occur simultaneously with operations on other blanks in the successive operating stations C to H. Thus a completed button is delivered with each reciprocation of the header.

It will be understood that both the number and character of operations on the button blanks may be considerably varied by appropriate changes in the heading tools, the length of blank employed, and the riser grooves. From the foregoing it will be apparent that the methods disclosed in our copending applications Ser. 494,160 now Patent No. 1,920,497, issued Aug. 1, 1933, and 576,104 may be performed with appropriate adjustment, on the inventive apparatus. The capacity of the machine is not affected by one or more of the positions being idle positions.

Obviously the invention is not limited to the de tails of the illustrative construction since these may be variously modified. Moreover, it is not indispensable that all features of the invention be used conjointly since various features may be used to advantage in diiierent combinations and subcombinations.

Having described our invention, we claim:

1. Button making apparatus of the character described comprising in combination a rotary turret carrying a circularly arranged series of dies,

said dies being movable in said turret and having a central bore for receiving a rod-like button blank, die punches in the respective bores for forming a die cup in the end of the blank, a reciprocating header carrying a plurailty of tools for operating successively on a blank, means for rotating said turret step by step to register said dies successively with said tools, and a supporting structure on which said die punches travel to receive the blow delivered thereto by the header tools, said supporting structure having surfaces at different elevations in register with the tool positions to raise the blank successive amounts above the turret whereby to expose successive increments of blank to the action of said tools.

2. Button making apparatus of the character described comprising in combination a rotary turret having a circular series of holes therein, a subjacent supporting surface, dies loose in said holes and riding on said surface, a reciprocating header adapted to act upon button blanks carried in said dies, and means for rotating said turret step by step to bring said dies successively in operating position.

3. The method of making solid buttons from a rod-like blank which is characterized by confining the blank throughout its length within a die, engaging one end of the blank with a tool to form a' die cup in the end of the blank, striking the opposite end of the blank, yieldingly supporting said die so that the latter may move downwardly with the blank as the same moves over the end of said tool to form the die cup, whereby said blank is held against lateral expansion in any part of its length during the die cup forming operation, and subsequently exposing a portion of the end of the blank and striking the same a blow to form a head thereon while still confining the portion of the blank forming the shank of the button.

4. Button making apparatus of the character described comprising in combination a rotary turret having a circular series of holes therein, a subjacent supporting surface, dies loose in said holes and riding on said surface, a reciprocating header adapted to act upon button blanks carried in said dies, means engaging the lower end of the button for elevating the completed button with its die, and a tool adapted to engage said die and depress the same to eject the button therefrom.

5. Button making apparatus for making solid butons from rod-like blanks comprising in combination a die holder having a die movably held therein and having a central bore therein for receiving a rod-like button blank, a die punch in said bore engaging said blank and having its end shaped to form a die cup in the end of said blank, a tool for striking the opposite end of said blank to force the same over said punch to form said die cup, said die bore closely surrounding said blank to prevent lateral expansion thereof, and. means for rasing said die until its upper surface is substantially flush with the upper end of the blank whereby to prevent lateral expansion of said blank, said means being constructed and arranged to permit said die to be depressed as said blank moves over the end of said punch.

5. Button making apparatus for making solid buttons from rod-like blanks comprising in combination a die holder having a die movably held therein and having a central bore therein for r ceiving a rod-likelbutton blank, a die punch in said bore engaging said blank and having its end shaped to form a die cup in the end of said blank, a tool for striking the opposite end of said blank to force the same over said punch to form said die cup, said die bore closely surrounding said blank to prevent lateral expansion thereof, and yielding means for elevating said die until its upper surface is substantially flush with the upper end of said blank, whereby said blank is held against lateral expansion and said die is adapted to move with the tool as the blank is formed over said punch.

'7. The method of making solid buttons from a rod-like blank which is characterized by confining the blank against lateral expansion throughout its length within a. die, engaging one end of the blank with a tool to form a die cup in the end of the blank, striking the opposite end of the blank, and movably supporting said die so that the latter moves With the end of the blank as the blank moves over said tool to form the die cup.

8. The method of making solid buttons from a rod-like blank which is characterized by confining the blank against lateral expansion throughout its length within a die, engaging one end of the blank with a tool to form a die cup in the end of the blank, striking the opposite end of the blank, and yieldingly supporting said die so that the latter may move downwardly with the blank as the same moves over the end of the said tool to form the die cup, whereby said blank is held against lateral expansion in any part of its length during the die cup forming operation.

9. Button making apparatus for making solid buttons from rod-like blanks comprising in combination a die holder having a die held therein and having a central bore therein for receiving a rod-like button blank, a movable die punch in said bore engaging said blank and having its end shaped to form a die cup in the end of said blank,

a tool for striking the opposite end of said blank to force the same over said punch toform said die cup, and means for moving said punch in said die 5 to cause the blank to project partially from said die, whereby the projecting portion may be headed, said punch having a shoulder for supporting the rim of the die cup during the heading operation. 1O 10. Apparatus for making solid steel buttons comprising in combination a die having a longitudinal bore therein for receiving a rod-like blank, means for placing a rod-like blank of predetermined length in said die, the bore of said die being substantially the diameter of the rod so asto prevent substantial lateral expansion of the portion of the blank in said bore, a die cup forming pin in said die and movable relatively thereto and occupying a retracted position so as to allow substantially the entire blank to enter the die, said pin being adapted to engage the end of the blank and having its end shaped to form a die cup in said end of the blank, a reciprocating header having a plurality of tools for successively engaging the other end of said blank, the

.first of said tools being adapted to move said blank substantially entirely into said die and to force one end of said blank over the end of said die pin to form a cup in the end of the blank, the other end of said blank being prevented from substantial flattening by the surrounding die, means for advancing said pin so as to cause the blank to project a predetermined amount from said die, means for relatively shifting said header and die to align the blank with the next tool, said next tool being adapted to flatten the projecting end of the blank, and means for further advancing said die pin to effect the discharge of the headed blank from said die. 40

11. Apparatus of the character described comprising in combination a die having a longitudinal bore therein for receiving a rod-like blank, means for placing a rod-like blank of predetermined length in said die, the bore of said die being substantially the diameter of the rod so as to prevent substantial lateral expansion of the portion of the blank in said bore, a die cup forming pin in said die and movable relatively thereto, said pin being adapted to engage the end of the blank and having its end shaped to form a die cup in said end of the blank, a reciprocating tool adapted to engage said blank and force the same over the end of said die pin, means for 10- eating and supporting said pin in a retracted position in said die so that the blank may be substantially entirely surrounded by said die during the formation of said die cup, said means being constructed and arranged thereafter to advance said pin so as to cause the blank to project a predetermined amount from said die, a reciprocating header for flattening the end of the blank projectingfrom said die, mechanism for effecting relative lateral movement between said header and die so as toalign the header with said blank, and means for further advancing said die pin to efiect the discharge of the headed blank from said die.

12. Apparatus for making solid steel buttons comprising in combination a die having a longitudinal bore therein for receiving a rod-like blank, the diameter of said bore being substantially that of the shank of the finished button, means for placing a rod-like blank of predetermined length in said die, a die cup forming pin in said die and movable relatively longitudinally thereof and shaped to form a die cup in the end of the blank, a reciprocating tool opposite the other end of the bore of said die, means for causing said tool and pin to engage the opposite ends of a blank in said. die and to move relatively to force one end of said blank over said pin while the blank is substantially surrounded by said die so as to concentrate the force of said tool upon the formation of the die cup in said blank, mechanism for thereafter retracting said tool and actuating said pin to force the blank forward to cause a portion thereof to project from said, die, leaving the ,portion in engagement with said pin inside and surrounded by said die, means for actuating said tool to strike the projecting portion of said blank to flatten the same, and means for thereafter actuating said pin to cause a further portion of said blank to be projected from said die and for causing the tool again to strike and further flatten the projecting portion.

13. Apparatus for making solid steel buttons comprising in combination a die having a longitudinal bore therein for receiving a rod-like blank,

'- the diameter of said bore being substantially length in said die, a die cup forming pin in alignment with the bore of said die and movable relatively longitudinally thereof and shaped to form a die cup in the end of the blank, a reciprocating tool opposite the other end of the bore of said die, means for causing said tool and pin to engage the opposite ends of a blank in said die and to move relatively to force one end of said blank over said pin while the blank is substantial- .tool.

14. Apparatus for making solid steel buttons comprising in combination a die having a longitudinal bore therein for receiving a rod-like blank, the diameter of said bore being substantially that of the shank of the finished button, means for placing a rod-like blank of predetermined length in said die, a die cup forming pin in alignment With the bore of said die and movable relatively longitudinally thereof and shaped to form a die cup in the end of the blank, a reciprocating tool forward to cause a portion thereof to project from a said die, leaving the portion in engagement with said pin inside and surrounded by said die, and means for actuating said tool to strike the projecting portion of said blank to flatten the same.

' IRA D. FORD.

JOHN M. CLARK.

CERTIiFlCATE 9i CQRREQTEGN.

Patent No. 2,016,239. October i, 1935.

IRA D. FQRU, ET AL.

ii is hereby certified that ermr appears in the printed specification of the above numbeie patent requiring cerrectisn as foiiaws: Page 2, iirsi salumn, line 53, f0! 50: read Emir; page 3, first cfiiumn, line 3, 592' "he" mad i'iie; line i0, after biani insert a giaried; and line 13, for "wmencement" read cammemtemeiit; page 4, second coiumn, Rim 44, claim 1, for "piurailty" read plurality: and page 5, first 2015mm Zine '26, fiiiiiifl 5, far "rasing" read raising; and Him the said Letters Paient shouid he read with iiiese correctiem ihei'fiii'i that {he same may conform to the recnrd 0f the case in the Patent Qffice.

Signed and saaied ibis i9th day oi November, A. E. 1335.

Lesiie Frazer (Sam?) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

